ajthane

[ajthane]

"Very funny." He said sarcastically, "I hate thinkin'." He truly reacted on pure instinct and didn't think shit through before doing it. It was way more fun that way.

He then shook his head, sort of offended. "Cronus was ugly, man. I dunno if you remember what he looked like but that man always looked like Rex from Toy Story. I ain't lookin' like that."

"don't think too hard, you'll hurt yourself," he joked, joining his friend for a moment, reaching for the pack of cigarette and lighting one.

it was hard, trying not to analyse too closely the words that escaped aj's mouth at all times. from the state of things right now, there was a good enough chance that aj would be given the leadership of the club one day -- gabe couldn't wait for the chaos it would bring. god, perhaps he'd be able to burn it to the ground and free them all from their duties.

"you probably look like cronus in some way. i'm sure there's a way to turn that into your advantage."

[ajthane]

"Jus' light on your feet, I guess. Might got somethin' to do with how small you are." He wasn't even short, but AJ just thought everyone was small compared to him. "She got all mad cause I said Rhea was flirtin' with me. Basically told me to suck it up and not get too drunk or somethin'. You know, just normal Reina things." Which meant he was going to do the opposite and get very drunk. His mommy issues were complicated, part of him always just wanted to please her but the other part didn't want to listen to her and he was constantly torn between the two. "We could go after a prospect, make him pay his dues."

Eyebrow arched, Ryder lit his own cigarette before leaning against the wall beside his cousin. "Jesus, why does everyone think I'm sneaking around today." First Reina, now AJ. Idly he wondered if maybe he could use his quiet footfalls to his advantage later. Coming back to the present Ryder shrugged as he exhaled smoke. "Do I have anyone you can fight? Not right now. What'd you do to piss Reina off though?" In reality - Ryder thought it didnt take much from his cousins to send their mother into a rage, but he also found AJ entertaining. "Well, you and I seem to be on the same page tonight, so we could make a pretty good team once we find a target."

[ajthane]

"You weren't gonna use whatever was inside of it anyways, cause you've never been fun. You've always been like a fifty year old trapped in a kid's body." Maybe it was just cause AJ was always immature. "Us Thane's know how to have a good time. I mean, besides you, of course." If he could tease the fuck out of his brother, he was going to take every opportunity to do so. "You're such a party pooper, you know that?" He asked rhetorically, "I don't try to make any scenes. It's not like I do it on purpose. It just happens. So like if it happens, it ain't on me."

"That's what you keep telling me." He sighed, already regretting going to talk to his brother. "Pretty sure you stole any goodie bag I ever received, anyways. So maybe it's just you, ruining all my fun." Rhett pointed out, because it sounded like something AJ would have done when they were younger. He looked over at their grandmother and back to AJ with a quick shrug. "Just do it fast when she isn't looking, then she can't take it away. I bet she knew how to have a good time back in her day." It was hard to imagine Reina being a party animal but for some reason he could picture their meemaw tearing shit up. "She was married to Cronus, she had to know how to have a good time at some point." Rhett stared at AJ for a moment and scoffed his next insult away. "Alright, asshole, whatever you say." Hopefully the aliens come back to get him soon, then. "Speaking of being an asshole, you think you can keep yourself contained tonight and not make a scene. For meemaw's sake?"

[ajthane]

He sighed, giving her a frown. "Is your butt the one that's gettin' slapped? Nah, so you don't know how much it hurts too," Even talking back in this way was something he really only did when he was drunk. Usually AJ just shut up and listened but sometimes he had to say something. "This is some shit normal people would have to talk about in therapy." Not that he went to one. He didn't need one. Or at least that's what he told himself. "He's technically my step dad, I'm totally his responsibility, Ma. Will you just make sure I get home, please? I really don't wanna end up in the dorms. Someone drew a dick on my cheek last time."

Every conversation Reina has with her eldest son seems to, one way or another, either lead to a massive headache or have her questioning how she could've given birth to a human with so few brain cells. And maybe it'd been her fault AJ turned out this way — maybe she'd dropped him on his head a few too many times when he was younger and she's sure the fact that she was certainly still smoking and drinking wine while pregnant didn't help him any, but Reina will never take responsibility for her son's stupidity. As far as she's concerned, he's the reincarnation of his father no matter how much he looks like her, and more often than not, that that leads to her berating him in a way she was almost too afraid to do with Jason — especially now, when he's being so fucking irritating. "Oh stop. She's an old woman, she's harmless. Man up and deal with it." Truthfully, it is a little foul that Rhea is even associating her son with the absolute leach that is her late husband, but Reina's simply not taking that on as her problem tonight. And she's certainly not taking on AJ's bad behavior, either. “You aren’t Rick’s fucking responsibility and regardless, I'm sure he’s got shit to do later. You’re a thirty year old man, Anthony. Act like it.”

[ajthane]

"I'm gonna add a sucker punch," He told him, "I know what the fuck I'm doin'." If there was one thing about AJ, it was that he had the confidence of a fucking king, similar to Jason. He was his father's son, after all. He respected Seth, in a weird way. Mainly in a drinking way more than anything. "I can fight, Seth. You know that, right?" Even if it was just fists, no weapons, he got it. The height helped too. "You wanna step in, old man? I'll show you it works."

@ajthane

Agreeing to help AJ Thane was probably one of the more stupid things he's done. When Andy had found out that Seth was going to be Ryder's sponsor, he'd lost his shit. He knew that it was mostly out of worry but it was still not the time. After all, Ryder hadn't asked him to be Ryder's sponsor. But when everyone finds out that AJ is looking to Seth for a path, well, let's say it will probably end the same. Given the fight at the Clubhouse and the inherent suspicion in Seth's brain, he knows they need fighters and lots of them. They need guts on their side and Seth is happy to pass that on to more of the younger kids. "Are you fuckin' stupid or somethin'?" rang through the air almost immediately despite Seth having been happy to help. Not off to a great start obviously. "What're you doing?"

[ajthane]

Being with Brie was nice. To be honest, he liked the back and forth they had, arguing and then not arguing. It was kind of exciting for him. It kept him on his toes. And right now they were good which meant that he didn't have to cook either. A win-win in his mind. He liked feeling needed, even though no one would probably go after Brie, but it was still nice to feel wanted. "Nah," He shook his head, "I'm always a pleasure to have in any house." He wasn't a good guest at all, he kind of just made himself at home. Even here. "Mind the company? C'mon, I'm great company. I know you wanna spend like every minute with me. There's no need to deny it."

Brie knew their relationship wasn't considered picture perfect -- She didn't love AJ, but she loved what she could get from him. As long as she kept up the charade of dutiful girlfriend, it was easy to get him to do what she wanted. At least, until she caught him doing something stupid and it lead to another break up. This wasn't much different than anything else, but it at least gave her some peace of mind. "You're just in time," she answers with a shrug, scooping said eggs onto a plate before turning the stove top off. She gives him a hum in response, turning to leaning against the counter. Eyes roll, rather than answering his question. The mention of his mother prompts a shrug, brow arching as she plucks the piece of bacon out of his hands. "I doubt it." Reina probably didn't miss him, but she most likely wouldn't be happy to hear he was at Brie's apartment -- The older woman may have liked her roommate, but Brie knew Reina wasn't overly fond of her. "I bet she's happy to have you outta the house." Brie comments with a laugh, finishing the half eaten piece of bacon. "Can't say I mind the company, though."

[ajthane]

He wasn't expecting Becky to be home at the current moment that she had entered the apartment, catching AJ in his boxer briefs as he was near the kitchen counter. "I have clothes on." He directed his eyes towards the underwear he was wearing. "I'm respectful." This was just like being at his house all over again, why couldn't he just be free? "What are you doin' here?" He asked as if it wasn't her place too. "Cause y'know, I could use the help. This ain't the one that Reina has."

closed: @ajthane setting: bec & brie's apartment

Becky's known AJ for a long time, between her friendships with Ryder and Rhett, and having babysat for Iris and Maddie when the redhead was in high school, Rebecca has been around the Thane family, AJ included, for most of her life. Though that time spent with him certainly increases whenever he and Brie are in one of their good periods — like they are now, apparently, if the sight of him in her kitchen is anything to go by. It's not the first time she's caught AJ in his underwear trying to figure out how to use the coffee machine, but it annoys her all the same. "Seriously?" She throws a dish towel at him from across the counter, green eyes rolling. "Can you at least put some clothes on if you're going to be walking around?"

[ajthane]

AJ sometimes needed a break from people. It wasn't that he wasn't a social butterfly when he was drunk, he usually was. It was just that a whole birthday party was a lot sometimes. Gabe was a welcome sight, though.

He popped open the beer that Gabe had nicely offered him and shook his head. "Nah, drinkin' and thinkin', my man. And avoiding Rhea. She's bein' a bit of a creep tonight towards me. I get it, I'm handsome but damn, I'm also her grandson." He vented, "Why are you out here?"

@ajthane location: outsite the clubhouse, during rhea thane's 77th birthday party

"there you are," the cold april wind was refreshing, cleared his head and the fog in it. sitting next to the prodigal son himself, gabe offered him a beer, wishing he had something stornger. or that someone would have spiked the punch, like they used to do when they were teens.

"are you brooding? on your grandmother's birthday?" gabe offered aj a classic raise of the eyebrow, clearly judging his good friend. if the two of them hadn't grew up together, perhaps gabe would have feared for his life. aj's chaotic well of emotions was a mystery to most, fear by others. gabe just learnt to go with the flow, and ignore most threats thrown his way. it was a privilege, maybe, to be this overtly judgmental of aj thane and being able to survive.

well, anything to give him a good reason to leave rhea's birthday bash.

[ajthane]

Leave it to his uncle to be the party pooper. He wasn't sure why he just couldn't be happy. "It was a joke, Andy. Relax." He emphasized the last word, hoping that Andy understood his playful nature at the moment. "I did not drink enough for me even so that can't be true. You know you're a man of few words? Why you gotta be so angsty all the time?" Here he was, trying to make conversation and Andy was being a little bit of an ass. "I'm happy you're here. Grandma's happy you're here."

Family is something Andy will always hold in high regard, but his nephew certainly loves to put that to the test. He can't help that the bias started because of Jason, but the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Andy had mostly been around while his nephew was a teen and after he was newly patched in, but something tells him AJ isn't much different six years later. His nephew didn't visit the state pen much, so most things Andy heard was second hand. "Watch your fuckin' mouth when you're talkin' about my wife, kid." Andy warns, not caring how drunk AJ was or wasn't. "I don't want any'a your cheap tequila," he waves away the offer, lighting up a cigarette. Even though he was sober, he didn't still crave a distraction. Nicotine helped. "You look like ya drank enough for both of us."

[ajthane]

AJ was outside of the clubhouse, smoking and thinking. Thinking about how traumatic it was that his grandmother had been hitting on him. "Shit, don't sneak up on me like that. If I didn't know your face, I would've accidentally elbowed ya in the fuckin' face, bro." It was just habit. "Both. I mean, I dunno about the first one. Reina seemed kind of pissed." But that was the norm, "If you got anyone I can fight with, lemme know." Little did he knew about the shit that would go down later. "I'm ready to go for someone's jugular."

@ajthane

“The fuck you doin’ out here?” As the night went on the party started to migrate back inside the clubhouse. The crowd spilling out into the parking lot were either passed out in a room or hovering around a table falling over with food, trying to get as much as possible onto their plates. Ryder had snuck out for a cigarette when his mom wasn’t looking, in between stories his grandmother told about the good old days. He’s been here too long, his buzz was disappearing, and the irritation he’s had since he’s seen a particular prospect was coming back up to the surface, so the historian thought it would be a good idea to make himself scarce for a bit, be alone. But apparently his cousin had a similar idea. “Y’piss someone off in there…or are you looking to start a fight?” Either would be a plan for AJ, and honestly, depending on what his cousin said and his mood after this cigarette, Ryder would be game to help tonight.

[ajthane]

It was weird shacking it up with someone other than Reina and Rick, who he knew wanted him out of the house. He wasn't sure why, he was great company. Brie wanted him around, so that had to mean that he was great company. He liked being catered to, maybe it was the mommy issues. Actually, it was probably the mommy issues. And him and Brie were good right now. He was playing CoD on his phone when Brie called out that breakfast was almost ready. "Alright, alright. I'm comin'." He announced as he finally got out of bed and into the kitchen. He didn't bother to put a shirt on, not caring if Rebecca was still home or not. "Did you burn 'em?" He could handle the eggs, to be honest, as long as it wasn't the bacon. "Bacon smells fuckin' delicious." He helped himself to a piece of bacon. "Oh shit, you didn't want that one, right?" If this was home, he probably would've gotten a lecture of some sort. "I wonder if Reina misses me."

starter for: @ajthane when + where: mid morning may 8th, brie's apartment

In the days since Rhea Thane’s birthday, Brie managed to get AJ to stay over at her apartment most nights. Even if she didn’t trust him to use the oven and not burn the entire building down, it eased her nerves to have him there. Most days he annoyed her, but falling asleep next to someone made her feel less anxious about Scott's death. Part of convincing AJ to stay over was the promise of breakfast, though — And while she was no expert in the kitchen, she could at least make bacon and eggs. Good enough. “Breakfast is almost ready,” she calls out from the kitchen, not bothering to keep her voice down given that Bec has already left for work. “I’m gonna burn it on purpose if you don’t get out here.” Brie threatens as she continues to cook the scrambled eggs, eyes rolling. 

[ajthane]

@dreamedgiirl

The Clubhouse

AJ was having a grand old time, mainly because he was getting drunk off of his ass, despite the warnings from his brother. He wasn't sure why people didn't want him to have fun. Almost running into her, AJ shouted, "Brie, hey!" He stopped in his tracks, slurring his words a bit. "Didn't know you and Rhea were close." He wasn't sure where the two of them stood at the moment, considering, well, it was them and their whatever it was, was always going one way or the other. "You want me to grab you a beer? Or better yet, wanna grab us both some? I'll make it worth your while. You can sit on the back of Cronus' bike."

[ajthane]

He always forgot how boring Rhett was until he was next to him, talking to him. It was like talking to a piece of drywall. "You're really no fun, you know that? I dunno what goodie bags did to you." Next birthday party of his own, he was totally doing goodie bags. "I think Reina'll rip it away from her if she tries to do shots. Do you think Rhea was like the worst party animal back in her day?" It was weird to think about a woman who was now old being young. At the mention of Rhett being the same amount of Thane, AJ shook his head. "Damn, I hate to break it to ya at Grandma's party but you came from another universe. I'm sorry Reina never told you but I think it's time for you to know." His comebacks were so good. "You wish I was down to my last life. Sorry bro, I'm not goin' anywhere."

Rhett hummed an affirmation instead of adding another sarcastic comeback. If AJ wanted to drink copious amounts of cheap alcohol and destroy his body, so be it. There were much better ways to get drunk and enjoy the process of doing so. "AJ, please, you are an adult. This party is your goodie bag, now sign the fucking card." Rhett grumbled and held it out with a pen. AJ calling himself the 'Reina whisperer' actually pulled a laugh out of him. The only person he would remotely give that title to was Rick, or possibly Rowan. "You just called yourself lame, so congratulations." Rhett considered himself the closest thing on the earth to an AJ whisperer, though he can't imagine anyone truly holds that title. "Yes, she's in her late seventies. Though she might think she's in her twenties today, maybe we'll get to see her turn into a regular party animal later. You can do shots with her." Something the older generation of Thanes might not like, but Rhett would find funny as long as she didn't get hurt in the process. Let the lady let loose, might as well. "We're the same amount of Thane, moron." He gave him an incredulous look. "And you are definitely down to your last life."

[ajthane]

He always wondered why Iris was the clear favorite with his mother when he was right here. And so actively involved in the family business of sorts. "I dunno, were we supposed to keep track?" Maybe he should've if he wanted to beat Seth at his own game. "It's not my fault that Cronus was a walking stereotype. Can you at least tell her that I'm her grandson? She's lookin' at me like I'm a turkey fresh outta the oven on Thanksgiving." If she were to listen to anyone, it would be Reina or Rowan most likely. He then sighed when she said she wasn't going to drag him home. Though he was thirty, he still acted like he was in his late teens probably. "Come on, Ma. I ain't sleepin' in the dorms, that's fucking bullshit. Can't you just tell Rick to carry me home?"

Reina can't help the way her eyes roll to the back of her skull the second she hears her eldest son's grating voice in her ear. It's a visceral reaction at this point, one she couldn't stop from happening if she tried — but she never does. "Wonder why. What number beer's that for you again?" Probably at least his tenth, if she had to guess. Reina's never really considered herself the drinking police, but between all of the morons here trying to turn her 77 year old mother's birthday party into a beer Olympics, she's decided they may as well give her a badge and call her Officer at this point. "You want her to stop thinking you're your grandpa, then stop fucking acting like him. I'm not dragging your drunk ass home tonight."

[ajthane]

@dcathbecame

The Clubhouse

"Uncle Andy, you gonna have some shots with me?" He had no clue if his uncle was drinking at the moment, or what, but he figured he should offer. He had a lot of other things to be concerned with than what his uncle was drinking or not drinking like avoiding Rhea's advances. However, being drunk meant that he became a lot more friendly and he wanted Andy to celebrate. This was his mother's party after all. "Or has Aunt Ro got you all whipped tonight that you gotta watch Benny?"

[ajthane]

"So weirdos bring wine, got it." Cheap beer did the trick and that was the important thing for him. Whatever got him drunk fast enough. "If I sign this card, I'm expecting Grandma to bring me a goodie bag since that's the proper thing to do back." He used to get the best goodie bags when he got invited to birthday parties in elementary school, probably because people were afraid of him. "I can tell. I'm like the Reina whisperer. Kinda like how you're the lame whisperer." No matter what, AJ was gonna use every opportunity he could to make fun of his little brother. "I thought she was turning like 90. You're telling me she's only in her seventies?" What the fuck? "I have like nine lives so I got nothing to worry about. And you're like barely a Thane so you have nothing to worry about, dude."

"People who don't want to drink cheap beer." He retorted quickly and looked at his brother. "It amazes me that you are still single." Rhett was positive some of the women, or at least someone with a pallett refined past the likes of Miller Lite would appreciate his contribution. "It is the proper thing to do when attending a birthday party, yes." He let out a tired sigh. Sometimes he stared at his brother and wondered if any train of thought went through his mind. Most times it seemed like he said everything on impulse without considering it at all. "How can you tell she's in a bad mood? She looks the exact same as she does every other time I see her." Not completely true but true enough. Reina was not exactly a warm woman, even on the best of days. Still, he sought her approval for some reason. Hoping one day she would be proud of him or AJ. "It's her birthday, AJ. She's 77 years old and that alone deserves to be celebrated. Thanes tend to have much shorter lifespans."

[ajthane]

@borndark

The Clubhouse

He was clearly not getting the gist that his mother running around, trying to make sure everything was in place and taking care of his grandmother. Wasn't that the women's jobs around here anyways? At least that's what his dad always told him. Reina was way more than that but when it came down to it, she still wasn't a member of the club. He'd do her bidding for her if she needed, though. AJ was more than a little easy to manipulate. By the time he had found his mother, AJ had started drinking for the day, but he needed it. "Grandma's callin' me Cronus again," He didn't even look like his grandfather. "And slapping my ass." It wasn't completely out of the norm since Rhea was not with it. "Please tell me why we're doin' this again."